Printing-machine.



NQ, 635,972. Patented-Oct. 3|, I899. T. M. NORTH.

PRINTING MACHINE.

I .Applination filed Jan. 20, 1899. No Model.) 6 SheelsSheet L K, GOOennn n H T Ru 0 N M T m ,7 '1 5 3 6 o N Patented D'ct. 3|, I899.

PRINTING MACHINE.

Applicatinm fired Jan. 20, 1899.)

6 Sheets-Sheet 2 ''N0 Model.)

.m: Nnmus versus 00. PNOTOLITHQ. wAsmNmoN. n. c

N0.-635,97:2. Patented Oct. 31, I899.

' T. m. NORTH.

PRINTING MACHINE.

. (Application filed Jan. 20, 1899.) N 0 M 0 d e l 6 Sheets$heet 3,

Patented Oct. 3|, 1 899.

T. NORTH. PRINTING MACHINE.

(Application filed Jan. 20, 1899.)

( No Model.)

6 Sheets-Sheet 5.

Pate nte'd Oct. 3|, I899.

T. M. NORTH. PRINTING MACHINE.

(Application filed Jan. 20, 1899.)

6 Sheets-Sheet 6.-

(No Model.)

mguonms warms co. PNoTo-ywo', WASHINGTON, u. c.

UNITED STATES PATENT THOMAS M. NORTH, OF NEW YORK, N. Y., ASSIGNOR TOROBERT HOE, THEO- DORE II. MEAD, AND CHARLES W. CARPENTER, OF SAMEPLACE.

PRINTING-MACHINE.

' SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent NO. 635,972, datedOctober 31, 1899.

Application filed January 20,1899. Serial No. 702,853. No model.)

To all whom it may concern: characters of reference indicate the same Beit known that I, THOMAS M. NORTH, a parts, Figure 1 is a side view of amachine subject of the Queen of Great Britain and Ireprinting on sheetsof thick non-flexible mateland, residing at New York city, county ofrial embodying the improvements which form 55 Kings, and. State of NewYork, have invented the subject of the invention, certain of the certainnew and useful Improvements in operating parts of the machine beingomitted Printing-Machines, fully described and repfor the sake ofclearness. Fig. 2 is a plan resentedin the following specification andthe view of the construction shown in Fig. 1, ceraccompanying drawings,forming a part of tain parts being omitted. Fig. 3 is a detail 60 thesame. sectional View, on an enlarged scale, illus- This inventionrelates to certain improvetrating the gripper mechanism in the posimentsin machines for printing on metal tion which it occupies after it hasseized the plates, boards, and,in general, sheet material sheet ofmaterial. Fig. 4 is a front view of which is thick and heavy andtherefore is of the construction shown in Fig. 3, the View 65 such acharacter that it does not possess sufbeing taken looking in thedirection in which ficient flexibility to permit it to be bent the sheetof material is moving in Fig. 3. around a cylinder. Fig. 5 is an underside detail plan View of The object of the invention is to produce thegripper mechanism, certain parts being an improved printing-machine,preferably of broken away. Fig. 6 is a section on the'line 7o thetransfer type, in which a heavy and non- 6-6 of Fig. 5, looking in thedirection of the flexible sheet of material may be printed and arrow.Fig. 7 is a detail view, partly in secthe sheet so controlled andmanipulated that tion, of the mechanism for opening the gripit shall bedelivered with its printed side up pers to deliver the sheet, certainparts of the and without allowing the printed side to come deliverydevices being also shown. Fig. Sis 75 in contact with any portion of thedelivery a detail View in elevation of a part of the conmechanism. 7struction shown in Fig. 7, the view being A further object of theinvention is to protaken in the direction of the arrow 8 in Fig. duce animproved sheet carrying and deliv- 7. Fig. 9 is a side view in elevationof a roery mechanism which shall retain the sheets tary printing-machineconstructed'in accord- 8o under perfect control from the time they areance with the invention, said machine emfirst fed to theprinting-surface until they are bodying certain modifications.

delivered and to accomplish the delivery with- Referring to thedrawings, and more parout touching the printed side of the sheet ofticularly to Fig. 1, in which is shown a mamaterial. chine containingone embodiment of the in- 85 5 A further object of the invention is toprovention, 1 indicates the frame of a bed-andvide an improved grippermechanism which cylinder machine of the stop-cylinder type, shall seizeand feed the sheets to the printand 2 indicates the reciprocating bedthereing-surface and which shall be adjustable for on. The bed may bereciprocated in any sheets of material of differentthickness. usual ordesired manner. Preferably, how- 90 0 A further object of the inventionis to proever, it will be reciprocated' by a railroadvide in connectionwith a machine of the gear 3, meshing with a rack 4:, carried by thecharacter described an improved printingbed, the gear being operatedthrough a link couple which may be adjusted to print upon 5 from apower-shaft. (Not shown.)

sheets of different thickness. The bedcarries a printing-surface of any5 WVith these and other objects in view the desired character.Preferably,however,this invention consists in certain constructions,surface will be a planographic surface. It is parts, improvements, andcombinations, as inked by the usual form-rollers and supplied will behereinafterfully described, and pointwith water from the usual dampingdevices, ed out in the claims hereunto appended. both of which arediagrammatically indicated too In the accompanying drawings, which formin Fig. 1. i

a part of this specification, and in which like The frame of the machineis provided with the usual standards 6, rising therefrom, the saidstandards being constructed to form ways for sliding boxes 7, the boxesbeing raised and lowered and held in position by set-screws 3 and 9,this being a well-known construction.

Journaled in the sliding boxes 7 is a shaft 10, 011 which is mounted thetransfer-cylinder 11. This cylinder carries an operatinggear 12, whichmeshes with a rack 13 on the bed, the cylinder being driven through thisgear from said rack. The gear is cut away, and the cylinder is providedat the cut-away part with a single tooth 14, which is engaged by arocking bar 15, pivoted on a stud 16, which may be secured to the frameor supported in any usual way. The rocking bar 15 is operated by a link17, which is in turn operated by a cam on the main shaft. (Not shown.)The construction thus described forms a type of stopping and startingmechanism which is commonly used with stopcylinder printing-machines.While it is a convenient and desirable form, any other form of stoppingand starting 1n eehanism may be substituted therefor, or in case theimprovements are applied to a different type of machine the stopping andstarting mechanism may be omitted altogether.

The cylinder 11 is provided with any suitable transfer printing-surface,as B, said surface being of such a character as to take the design fromthe surface of the reciprocating bed 2 and transfer it to the materialto be printed upon. A sheet of rubber forms an excellent surface; butany other suitable material may be used.

Secured to the top of the standards ('ris a casting or frame 18, thecasting being held to the top of the standards by suitable bolts 19 orin any other suitable manner. The upper part of the frame or casting isformed to provide ways for sliding boxes 20, said boxes being controlledby screws 21 and 22 in the usual manner. The frame or casting is alsoprovided with extensions 23, which serve to support a feed-table 24c,and with projections 25 26, the purpose of which will hereinafterappear. Mounted in the sliding boxes 20 is a shaft 27, which serves tosupport and carry an impression-cylinder 23.

Various means may be provided for rotating the impression-cylinder sothat it will move in unison with the transfer printingcylinder.Preferably, however, the shaft 10 is provided with a gear 29, whichmeshes with an intermediate 30, suitably mounted on a stud which issupported in the frame of the machine or in any other suitable part. Theintermediate meshes with a second intermediate 31, which is also mountedon a suitable supporting-stud, and this intermediate 31 meshes with agear 32, which is suitably supported on the impression-cylinder.

It is desirable that the machine be so constructed that theimpression-cylinder may be adjusted toward and away from theprintingenables the desired adjustment to be made without disturbing theengagement of the gear 32 with the intermediate 31 and also permits anangular adjustment of the cylinder with respect to the gear 32, so as tobring the impression-surface and the gripper mechanism, hereinafter tobe described, always in the proper position to take and act upon thesheet of material. In case it be desired to adjust theimpression-cylinder upward in order to permit the introduction of athick sheet of material the screws 21 are loosened and the screws 22forced inward, carrying the j ournalboxes 20 and the shaft 27 upward.This movement of the shaft and impression-cylinder causes the gear 32and also the impressioncyliuder, to which it is connected, to rotate inthe direction opposite to that indicated by the arrow in Fig. 1, thisrotation being a result of the engagement of the gear 32 with theintermediate 31. Vhen the impressioneylinder has been adjusted upward tothe desired extent, the screws 21 are tightened and the bolts 33 areloosened. The impressioneylinder,with its shaft and thegripper-chainguiding wheels, to be hereinafter described, can now beturned in the direction indicated by the arrow in Fig. 1, so as to bringthe im pression-surface and the gripper mechanism to the proper point toreceive and act upon the sheet of material, after which the bolts 33 areagain tightened.

Various means may be provided for supporting and guiding the travelinggripper mechanism which forms a feature of the invention. Preferably themeans which will now be described will be used.

Loosely mounted on each side of the cylinder 28 and preferably, thoughnot necessarily, on the shaft 27 are arms 35, having extensions 36.These arms 35are provided with elongated slots 37, which slots afford abearing for a stationary shaft or rod 38, said shaft or rod being heldin position in the bearings by means ofjam-nuts 39. Screws are tappedthrough the arms 35 and serve to adjust the rod 38 in the elongatedslots in an obvious manner.

The gripper mechanism is mounted on a flexible carrier which may be andpreferably is in the form of a sprocket-chain 43. Guiding and supportingdevices for the chain are also provided, which, while they may be ofvarious forms, are preferably as follows: A pair of sprocket-wheels 41are preferably mounted on the impression-cylinder, and the rod 38carries another pair of sprocket-wheels 42. The chain 43 passes aroundthe sprocketwheels and serves to support and carry the grippermechanism. The elongated slots 37 and the screws enable the chain to betightened or loosened, as the circumstances of the case may require. Thearms 35 are loosely mounted on the shaft 27 in order that they may bethrown back, carrying with them the sprocket-wheel and deliverymechanism, so that free access may be had to the printingsurface on thebed 2. The arms 35 are limited in their downward movement by means ofthreaded stops 44, which are carried in the projections 26 of the frame18.

It is necessary to provide in machines of the character described agripper mechanism which will have sufficient strength to support andcarry heavy sheets of material which areintended to be printed by themachine, and the grippers are preferably made adjustable, so that theycan properly seize and hold sheets of varying thickness. 'While,however, it is desirable to have the grippers adjustable, as stated, itis also desirable that that jaw of the gripper mechanism which isordinarily known as a stationary jaw should at the time of taking thesheet of material always be'in the same position with respect to thesurface of the impression cylinder in order that the grippers mayproperly take the sheet from the feed-table.

While the gripper mechanism may be constructed in various ways, thepreferred form of mechanism which has been devised to fulfil therequirements above stated will now be described. The machine shown isprovided with two pairs of grippers; but a greater or less number may ofcourse be used, if desired.

Extending across between the pair of chains 43, which constitutes thecarrier, is a bar or plate 45. (See Fig. 5.) This bar or plate carriestrunnions 46, which are preferably integral with the plate. Thesetrunnions extend through the links of the chain to which they areadjacent, taking the place of one of the bolts which hold the linkstogether, and are preferably provided with rollers 47, so as to permitthe plate to swing easily with respect to the chain. The plate carriesarms 48, which are preferably formed integral therewith. Located inbearings 49 in the arms 48 is a rock-shaft 50, which extends parallelwith the bar or plate 45. Mounted on the rockshaft 50 and securedthereto by means of suitable screws are arms 51, connected by a web orbar 52. This web or bar is merely added for the purpose of strength andmay be omitted if thought desirable. The arms 51 have hearings in theirouter ends, and in these bearings is supported a gripper-shaft 53, thearms and shaft forming a support, to which the lower gripper-jaws 54 areconnected in any suitable manner. Preferably these jaws will be formedwith split bearings, as shown in Fig. 6,the said bearings being clampedaround the shaft 53 by means of screws 55. The shaft 53 is provided witha pair of spiral springs 56, the office of which is to rock the shaft inone direction and hold the gripperjaws closed. The plate 45 carries theupper gripperjaw 57, which is preferably in the form of an integraldownward projection.

The plate also has an upward projection 58,-

preferably integral therewith for a purpose to be hereinafter described.The arms 51 have upward projections 59, which are also preferablyintegral with them. Through these projections are tapped screws 60,these screws bearing against the plate 45. Screws 61 are tapped throughthe plate 45 and bear against the arms 51, which carry the gripper-shaft53. When it is desired to adjust the gripper mechanism so as to take athicker sheet of material, the screws are screwed outward andthe'screwsfil are screwed inward. This rocks the shaft 50 and moves thearm 51, carrying the shaft 53 and the lowergrippers 54 away from theupper gripper 57, which is preferably a part of the plate 45. This adjustment therefore enables the grippers to be adjusted so as to takeathicker sheet of material, but does not disturb the position of theplate 45 and its gripper portion 57, which therefore always remains inthe same position with reference to the surface of theimpression-cylinder and the sheet of material to be introduced betweenthe grippers.

The grippers may be caused to open to receive the sheet of material byvarious mech anisms. Preferably, however, the grippershaft 53 isprovided with an arm 64, which at the time the grippers are to be openedto recieve the sheet lies in the path of a tappet 65, mounted on arock-shaft G6, suitably supported in the transfer-cylinder. The tappet65 has a rearward projection 67, to which is secured a rod 68, whichpasses loosely through an eye (not shown) in the transfer-cylinder andis surrounded bya spring 69. This springrod construction is of theordinary type, and its purpose is to keep the tappet 65 away from thearm 64 except when the grippers are to be opened. The rock-shaft 66 isprovided with an arm 70, (see dotted lines in Fig. 3,) which arm 70 liesin the path of the tappet 71, carried on a rod 72, which at its upperend passes loosely through an eye 73, suitably mounted on the frame, andat its lower end is formed into a fork which embraces a way cam-shaft74, suitably supported in the frame of the machine. This way cam-shaft74 is provided with a cam 75, which bears upon a roller 76, (see dottedlines in Fig. 1,) which is mounted on the rod 72. When the grippers areto be opened to receive a sheet, the cam 75 raises the rod 72 and causesthe tappet 71 to strike the arm 70 on the rock-shaft 66. This causes thetappet 65 to strike the arm 64 and rocks the shaft 53, opening thegrippers and allowing the sheet of material to be inserted into the biteof the grippers.

In order to control the distance that the sheet may be inserted into thebite of the grippers, the grippers are provided with a pair of angularstops 77, the position of which is controlled by screws 78. (See Fig. 5and dotted lines in Fig. 3.) As the sheet of material is inserted intothe grippers its front edge strikes the depending portion of the angularstops, which thus control the inward movement of the sheet.

In order to prevent the gripper mechanism from rocking downward, so asto bring the jaw 57 of the plate 45 outside of the circumference of theimpression-cylinder and so cause it to be improperly positioned withrelation to the feed-table or other sheet-delivery device, theimpression-cylinder is provided with an angular stop 79, secured theretoby a bolt 80. This stop 79 is positioned so as to bear against theupward projection 58 of the plate 45 when the grippers are in theirreceiving position, and therefore controls the amount of axial downwardmovement of the grippers at the time when the sheet of material ispresented thereto.

After the tail of the printed sheet passes from between the impressionand transfer cylinders from which it receives its imprint and thegrippers carrying the sheet between them start to move forward thegripper mechanism swings-on its trunnions toward the interior of thechain. The sheet of material is held by the grippers only at its forwardedge, its rear edge being free to drop, and if the sheet of material isof anyeonsiderable length after it leaves the transfer-cylinder itslower edge, if not suitably supported, would drop down upon the bed 2.To prevent the sheet from dropping down upon the bed 2, there ispreferably provided aseries of bars 82. These bars rest at one end on abar S3, which is supported in the bracket-arms 25, extending from theframe 18. At their opposite ends these bars 82 are preferably hookedaround a rockshaft 84, which is supported in bearings at the ends of thearms 36. The bars 82 are preferably curved, as shown, in order tofacilitate the movement of the sheet. I11 case short sheets of materialare being printed the bars 82 will be unnecessary and may, if desired,be omitted.

The machine is constructed to deliver the printed sheets of materialwith the printed side up. Means are therefore preferably provided whichact against the unprinted side of the sheet while it is held by thegrippers and as the grippers are moving upward around the guide-wheels4-2. These means position and may partially support the sheet, and whilethey thus assist in the delivery the freshly-printed surface of thesheet is not touched. The means for thus positioning the sheets andassisting in the delivery may be widely varied. Preferably, however, thewheels 42 are provided with one or more crossbars 85, which extendbetween them. In the machine shown these bars are two in number, and twoor more will preferably be used. One bar might, however, be used, ifdesired. The bars 85 preferably carry cross-bars 86, the bars 85 86forming a grid-like structure. These bars are so positioned on thewheels 42 and the wheels are made of such diameter that as the gripperscarrying the printed sheet begin to travel upward around the outercircumference of the wheel 42 the bars come behind the sheet of materialand, acting on its unprinted side, support and position it. As the sheetof material travels upward toward the point where the gripgers areopened and the sheet is released it is therefore supported at itsleading end by the grippers and on its back by the bars 85 86. Itisapparent that the bars 86 might be omitted, if desired; but thestructure shown is an effective one and is deemed preferable.

In order to open the grippers at the proper time and enable them todeliver the sheets, the following mechanism is preferably provided,though any suitable mechanism may be used: The arms 35 carry upwardprojections 35, andin these projections is journaled a rock-shaft 87,which is provided with tappets 88. This rock-shaft has an arm 89, (seedotted lines in Fig. 1,) to which is connected a rod 90 which at itslower end is formed into a fork which straddles the way cam-shaft '74.This shaft is provided with a cam 92, which engages a roller 91, carriedon the shaft 90. Vhen the sheets of material have been brought by themechanisms heretofore described into position to be delivered, the cam92 operates against the roller 91, raises the rod 90, rocks the shaft87, and causes the tappets 88 to strike the rock-arms (i l on the gripper-shaft 53, thus rocking the shaft, the grippers at this time being ininverted position. (See Fig. '7.) This opens the grippers and allows thesheet to slide off thcgrid composed of the bars 85 86 down upon thereceivingtable. The receiving-table is preferably composed of a seriesof bars 93, which are connected to a cross-bar 9t, which is mounted inbearings on the upper ends of upwardly-projecting arms 95. The innerends of these bars 93 are hooked over the rock-shaft 84-. These bars 93are preferably curved, so as to present a concave upper surface in orderthat the sheet of material may the more readily slide into position. Asthe parts are shown in Fig. 1, the grippers have just been opened, andthe sheet being released thereby has slid down the grid composed of thebars 85 80 onto the receiving-table, from which it is removed by hand orin any other convenient manner.

It is sometimes desirable to leave a considerable space between the endsof the bars 86 and the ends of the bars 93, which form thereceiving-table. In order in such cases to surely and accurately directthe sheet of material from the grid 85 89 onto the receivingtable, theshaft 84 is preferably provided with a series of lingers 96. This shaftalso has an arm 97, which is connected to a rod 98. This rod 98 carriesa cam-roll 99, and at its lower end is forked to straddle the waycam-shaft 74. This way cam-shaft is provided with a cam 100, whichoperates in connection with the roll 99 and swings the arms 96 upward atthe proper time, so as to cause them to I necessary.

properly direct the sheet of material onto the receiving-table 93. Thesefingers 96 may in many cases be omitted, and a construction in whichthey are not used is shown in Fig. It may sometimes happen in openingthe grippers that when the tappet 88 strikes the rock-arm 64 instead ofrocking the grippershaft and opening the grippers it will turn theentire gripper mechanism on its trunnions and fail to release the sheet.In order to prevent this and insure the opening of the grippers at theproper time, the wheels 42 are preferably provided with a pair ofspringlatches 101, (see Fig. 7,) which engage with projections 102 onthe plate 45. These latches are so located that they will engage theprojections 102 on the plate 45 just before the tappet 8S strikes thearm 64. The plate 45 being held against movement by the latches, thetappet 88 will be sure to rock the grippershaft 53 and move thegripper-jaws 54 awayv from the jaws 57, permitting the sheets ofmaterial S to escape therefrom.

The sheet of rubber R or other material which forms the transfer-surfacemay be held to the surface of the transfer-cylinder in any suitable way.Preferably, however, it is held by arms 103, which are mounted on ashaft 104. This shaft has the usual spring, (not shown,) by which meansthe arms 103 are held up to their duty.

The bed which carries the printing-surface by which the design iscommunicated to the transfer-surface need not necessarily be a flat bed.In the modification shown in Fig. 9 the printing-surface is shown ascarried upon a cylinder 105. In this modification the transfer-cylinder11 is, as before, a stop-cylinder and is provided with rolls 106 107.The cylinder 105 is provided with starting and stopping levers 108 109,these levers being controlled by a stationary cam 110, as shownin dottedlines in Fig. 9. The operation of these stopping and starting levers isobvious, and as no claim is herein made to this construction an extendeddescription is not deemed In this modification the arms 96, which closethe gap between the receivingtable and the grid 85 86, are omitted, thebars 86 being shown long enough to accurately deliver the sheet to thereceiving-table.

The operation of the machine is as follows: The parts being in theposition shown in Fig.

-1 and the gripper mechanism being open a sheet of material S isinserted between the jaws of the grippers to the extent permitted by theangular stop 77. The cam 75 now allows the rod 72 to drop, moving thetappetarm 71 away from the arm 70 and permitting the spring 69 to rockthe tappet away from the arm Get. The springs 56 operate to close thegripper-jaws 54 against the jaws 57 and at the same time the startermechanism (the parts being in the position shown in Fig. 1) operates tostart the transfer-cylinder 11 and bring its rack 12 into mesh with therack 13 on the bed. The chains 43, to which the the dotted lines in Fig.1.

gripper mechanism is attached, now operate to carry the sheet ofmaterial to be printed between the cylinders 11 and 28, the cylindersthemselves of course assisting in the feeding action, and the designwhich has been placed upon the surface R of the transfercylinder isoffset onto the under side of' the sheet S. After the entire sheet ofmaterial has been printed its rear edge passes from between thecylinders and drops into contact with the bars 82, by which it issupported. The continued rotation of the wheels 42 and the travel of thechains 43 causes the sheet to travel along the bars 82, the sheetssuccessively assuming the positions indicated by grippers in theirupward travel around the circumference of the wheel 42 lift the sheetclear from the supporting-bars 82 the grid composed of the bars 85 86comes into position behind the sheet of material and positions andsupports it during its upward travel. When the grippers reach the pointto which the sheet is to be delivered, which is preferably when theprinting-cylinders have made a complete rotation and are stopped inorder that a second sheet may be fed to the second pair of gripperscarried by the chain, the cam 92 operates through the severalconnections to cause the tappet 88 to strike the arm 64 and open thegrippers, allowing the sheet to slide off from the grid 85 86 and alongthe arms 96, which have been swung up into position to properly guidethe sheet onto the receiving-table 93. By the time the sheet has beendelivered the new sheet has been placed in position to be seized by thesecond pair of grippers and the operations just described are repeated.

Many modifications may be made in the va-' -rious constructions by whichthe invention is carried into effect, and such modifications willreadily suggest themselves to skilled mechanics. So, too, while theinvention is particularly adapted for use with machines of thestop-cylinder type it is adapted for use with other styles of machines.While, also, the machine has been especially designed for printing onnon-flexible material from a transfer-surface, it can be successfullyused for printing on other kinds of material and with other descriptionsof printing-surfaces. It is also possible to use certain parts of theinvention without using other parts, and such use is contemplated. It isto be understood,

therefore, that the invention is not to be limited to the precisedetails of construction herein shown and described, nor to theparticular use described, but that the invention is generic in itsnature and covers all modifications and changes which fall within thespirit and scope of the invention as defined in the claims hereuntoappended.

What is claimed is 1. In a printing-machine, the combination with aprinting-couple, of means independent of the couple for transferring asheet of material by its leading end from the couple to thedelivery-point, said means permitting the sheet to change its positionso that it may be delivered printed side up, substantially as described.

2. In a printing-machine, the combination with a printing-couple, ofmeans independent of the couple for transferring a sheet of material byits leading end from the couple to the delivery-point, said meanspermitting the sheet to change its position so that it may be deliveredprinted side up, and means acting on the unprinted side of the sheet toadditionally support and position it for delivery, substantially asdescribed.

In a printing-machine, the combination with a printing-couple, of agripper mechanism supporting the sheet by its leading end and permittingthe sheet to change its position so that it may be delivered printedside up, means whereby the gripper mechanism is supported independentlyof the couple, and means acting on the unprinted side of the sheet toadditionally support and position it for delivery, substantially asdescribed.

4. Ina printing-machine, the combination with a printing-couple, of atraveling gripper mechanism independent of the couple supporting thesheet by its leading end and permitting the sheet to change its positionso that it may be delivered printed side up, and means acting on theunprinted side of the sheet to additionally support and position it fordelivery, substantially as described.

5. In a printing-machine, the combination witha printing-couple, of arotating support, a flexible carrier traveling over said support,gripper mechanism mounted on and free to turn with respect to thecarrier, said gripper mechanism acting to support a sheet by its leadingend, whereby the sheet is permitted to change its position between theprinting and delivery points, and means acting on the unprinted side ofthe sheet to support the sheet and position it for delivery,substantially as described.

6. In a printing-machine, the combination with a printing-couple, of adelivery mechanism, said mechanism including a rotating supportindependent of the members of a couple, means acting in conjunction withthe support by which the sheet is held at its leading end, and meanscarried by the support for supporting the sheet on its unprinted side,substantially as described.

'7. In a printing-machine, the combination with a printing-couple, ofdevices independent of the couple for delivering a sheet with theprinted side up, said devices including means whereby the position ofthe sheet is partially reversed, and means for supporting the sheetprior to and at the time of delivery on its unprinted side,substantially as described.

S. In a printing-machine, the combination with a printing-couple, of atraveling gripper mechanism acting to support a sheet by its viceslocated at another point in the travel of the grippers causing them toopen to deliver a sheet, the travel of the grippers being such that thesheet changes its position between the seizing and delivery points, andmeans acting in conjunction with the grippers to support the sheet onits unprinted side, said means being brought into operation after thesheet changes its position and while it is held by the grippers,substantially as described.

10. The combination with a gripper mechanism, of a traveling flexiblecarrier, a pair of wheels over which the flexible carrier runs, andmeans carried by the wheels and acting in conjunction with the grippermechanism to support a sheet held by the grippers, substantially asdescribed.

11. In a printing-machine, the combination with a printing-couplehavinga rotatingmemher, a shaft on which the rotating member is mounted,a pair of arms mounted on the shaft, a pair of wheels mounted in thearms, a flexible carrier running over the wheels, a gripper mechanismmounted on the carrier, and means carried by the wheels and acting inconjunction with the gripper mechanism to support a sheet, substantiallyas described.

12. In a printing-machine, the combination with a printing-couple havinga rotating member, a shaft on which the rotating member is mounted, apair of arms loosely mounted on the shaft, a pair of wheels mounted inthe arms, a flexible carrier running over the Wheels, a grippermechanism mounted on the carrier, and means carried by the wheels andacting in conjunction with the gripper mechanism to support a sheet,substantially as described.

13. In a printing-machine, the combination with a printing-couple havinga rotating member, of a shaft on which the member ismounted, a pair ofsprocket-wheels mounted on the shaft, a pair of arms mounted on theshaft, a second pair of sprocket-wheels supported in the arms,sprocket-chains running over the Wheels, a gripper mechanism carried bythe chains, and means carried by the second pair of wheels and acting inconjunction with the gripper mechanism to support a sheet, substantiallyas described.

14.. In a printing-machine, the combination with a printing-couplehaving a rotating member, of ashaftin which said memberis mounted, apair of arms mounted on the shaft, said arms having projections, wheelssupported in the arms, a traveling gripper mechanism havingpivotally-mounted grippers and running over said wheels, and meanssupported by the projections for opening the grippers, substantially asdescribed.

15. In a printing-machine, the combination with a printing-couple havinga rotating member, of a shaft in which said member is mounted, a pair ofarms mounted on the shaft, said arms having projections, wheelssupported in the arms, a traveling gripper mechanism havingpivotally-mounted grippers and running over said wheels, means supportedby the projections for opening the grippers, and means carried by thewheels for supporting a sheet held in the grippers, substantially asdescribed.

16. In a delivery mechanism, the combination with a set ofpivotally-mounted traveling grippers for supporting a sheet at one endonly, of a suitable support over which the grippers run, means forreceiving the delivered sheet from the grippers and means acting on thesheet while it is held by the grippers to position it for delivery, saidmeans being independent of the receiving means, substantially asdescribed.

17. In a delivery mechanism, the combination with a set ofpivotallymounted traveling grippers for supporting a sheet atone endonly, of a pair of wheels over which the grippers run, and means carriedby the wheels and acting in conjunction with the grippers to support asheet, substantially as described.

18. In a delivery mechanism, the combination with a set ofpivotally-mounted traveling grippers acting to support a sheet at oneend only, of a pair of wheels over which the grippers run, and meanscarried by the wheels and acting in conjunction with the grippers tosupport a sheet, said means consisting of a platform extending betweenthe wheels, substantially as described.

19. In a delivery mechanism, the combination with a set ofpivotally-mounted traveling grippers acting to support a sheet at oneend only, of a pair of wheels over which the grippers run, and meanscarried by the wheels and acting in conjunction with the grippers tosupport a sheet, said means consisting of a set of bars forming aplatform, substantially as described.

20. In a printing-machine, the combination with a printing-couple havinga rotating member, of a shaft on which the member is mounted, a pair ofwheels carried by the shaft, a pair of arms, a second pair of wheelscarried by the arms, flexible. supports running over the wheels,grippers pivotally mounted on the supports, means for causing thegrippers to seize a sheet, extensions on the arms, means carried by theextensions for opening the grippers to deliver the sheet, and a platformcarried by the second pair of wheels and acting in conjunction with thegrippers to support a sheet, substantially as described.

21. In a traveling gripper mechanism, the combination with a pair ofpivotally-mounted grippers, of a flexible carrier on which the grippersare' pivoted, supports including a pair of wheels over which theflexible carrier runs, means located near the wheels and acting upon onejaw of the grippers to open the same, and means engaging the other jawfor preventing its movement, substantiallyas described.

22. In a traveling gripper mechanism, the combination with a pair ofpivotally-mounted grippers, of a flexible carrier on which the grippersare pivoted, means including apair of Wheels over which the carrierruns, means located near the wheels and acting upon one jaw of thegrippers to open the same, and a latch carried on one of the wheels andengaging the other jaw, substantially as described.

23. In a gripper mechanism, the combination with a pair of opening andclosing jaws, of means whereby they are supported, means for adjustingone of the jaws away from the other to determine the size of the openingbetween the jaws, and means whereby the jaws may be opened, whereby thejaws are adapted to seize material of varying thickness, substantiallyas described.

24. In a gripper mechanism, the combination with the jaws, of meanswhereby they are supported, means for varying the distance between thejaws, and means for opening and closing the jaws, substantially asdescribed.

25. In a gripper mechanism, the combination with the jaws, of meanswhereby each jaw is supported, devices for varying the distance betweenthe jaw-supports, and means for opening and closing the jaws,substantially as described.

26. In a gripper mechanism, the combination with a gripper-jaw, of asecond jaw, means for supporting the second jaw, devices for adjustingsaid supporting means toward and away from the first jaw, and means foropening and closing the jaws, substantially as described.

27. In a gripper mechanism, the combination with a gripper-jaw, of agripper-shaft, a gripper-jaw thereon, means for supporting thegripper-shaft, means for adjusting the shaft toward and away from thefirst-named jaw, and means for rocking the shaft, substantially asdescribed.

28. In a gripper mechanism, the combination with a plate carrying a jaw,a second jaw pivoted to the first-named jaw, and means carried by eachjaw and engaging the other for adjusting the jaws with relation to eachother, and means whereby the jaws may be opened, substantially asdescribed.

29. In a gripper mechanism, the combination with a plate carrying a jaw,of a jawsupport pivoted to the plate and also carrying a jaw, aprojection on the jaw-support, a screw passing through said projectionand bearing against the plate, a screw passing through the plate andbearing against the IIO jaw-support, and means whereby the jaws may beopened and closed, substantially as described.

30. In a gripper mechanism, the combination with a plate formed toprovide a jaw, of a pair of arms pivoted to said plate, a set of jawspivoted in the arms, a projection on one of the arms, means actingbetween the projection and the plate for forcing the jaws toward eachother, and m cans whereby the jaws may be opened and closed,substantially as described.

31. In a gripper mechanism, the combination with a plate carryinga jaw,of a jaw-support pivoted thereto, a second jaw pivoted to the support,means between the plate and the support for forcing the support awayfrom the plate, and means for opening and closing the jaws,substantially as described.

32. In a gripper mechanism, the combination with a plate carrying a jaw,of bearings carried by the plate, a rock-shaft pivoted in the bearings,a gripper-shaft connected to the rock-shaft, a projection moving withthe rockshaft, and a screw tapped through one of the projections andbearing against the plate,substantially as described.

33. In a gripper mechanism, the combination with a plate carrying agripper-jaw and having bearings connected thereto, of a rockshaft in thebearings, a projection by which the movement of the rock-shaft may becontro1led,a screw passing through the projection and bearing againstthe plate, arms mounted on the rock-shaft, a pivoted gripper carried inthe arms, means for opening the grippers, and a screw tapped through theplate and controlling the movement of the gripper-carrying arms towardthe plate, substantially as described.

34. In a gripper mechanism, the combination with means for opening andclosing the grippers, of an adjustable stop for limiting the distance towhich a sheet may be inserted between the grippers, substantially asdescribed.

35. In a gripper mechanism, the combination with a pair of gripper-jaws,of means for opening and closing the jaws, means for adj usting the jawswith relation to each other in order to control the amount of theopening between the jaws when they are open, and a stop for determiningthe distance to which a sheet of material may be inserted between thejaws, substantially as described.

36. In a gripper mechanism, the combination with a pair of jaws, ofmeans for opening and closing the jaws, means for adjusting the jawswith relation to each other in order to control the amount of theopening between the jaws when they are open, and an adjustable stopcarried by one of the jaws for determining the distance to which a sheetof material may be inserted between the jaws, substantially asdescribed.

37. In a gripper mechanism, the combination with a plate carrying agripper-jaw, of a jaw-support pivoted thereto, asecond jaw carried bythe support, means for adjusting the jaw-support away from the firstjaw, means for opening and closing the jaws, and an adjustable stopcarried by the plate and limiting the distance to which a sheet ofmaterial can be inserted between the jaws, substantially as described.

38. The combination with a cylinder, of a traveling gripper mechanismcooperating therewith, said gripper mechanism including a set ofpivotally-mounted grippers,and means operating in connection with one ofthe grippers for limiting the axial movement of the grippers at thesheet-taking point, substantially as described.

39. The combination with a support, of a traveling gripper mechanismcooperating therewith, said gripper mechanism including aset ofpivotally-mounted grippers,and means on the support for limiting theaxial movement of the grippers at the sheet-taking point, substantiallyas described.

40. In a prin ting-machine, the combination with a traveling grippermechanism, including a pair of pivotally-mounted grippers, of a supportaround which the gripper mechanism travels, and a stop carried by thesupport and acting on the gripper mechanism to prevent any movement ofthe gripper mechanism on its pivot at the time of taking the sheet,substantially as described.

41. In aprintingmachine, the combination with a flexible carrier, of agripper mechanism pivoted to the carrier, a support over which thecarrier travels, a projection on the gripper mechanism, and a stopcarried by the support and coacting with the projection on the grippermechanism to prevent the mechanism from turning on its pivot at the timeof taking the sheet,substantially as described.

42. In a delivery mechanism, the combination with means for forwarding asheet at its leading end, of means for supporting the sheet at itsopposite edge as it is being forwarded, substantially as described.

43. In a printing-machine, the combination with a traveling grippermechanism including a pair of pivotally-mounted grippers acting tosupporta sheet at one end, and means acting to support the opposite edgeof the sheet, substantially as described.

H. In aprinting-machine, the combination with a traveling grippermechanism, of a flexible carrier on which the gripper mechanism ispivotally mounted, said gripper mechanism acting to support a sheet atone end, means for supporting and guiding the flexible carrier, andmeans for supporting the opposite edge of the sheet, substantially asdescribed.

45. The combination with a flexible carrier, of means for supporting andguiding the carrier,a gripper mechanism pivotally mounted in the carrierand acting to support a sheet at one end, whereby the sheet is free tochange its position as it is forwarded, means for supporting theopposite edge of the sheet, the sheet being lifted away from said meansduring the travel of the gripper mechanism, and means actingon a side ofthe sheet after it leaves the edge-supporting devices to position it fordelivery, substantially as described.

46. In a printing-machine, the combination with a printing-couple havinga rotary member, of a pair of wheels supported in proximity thereto, anendless flexible carriertraveling around the rotary member of theprinting mechanism and the pair of wheels, a gripper mechanism pivotallymounted on the flexible carrier, said mechanism acting to support asheet by its leading end and to cause it to change its position in itstravel from the print ingcouple to the delivery-point, a device forsupporting the sheet at its opposite edge, the sheet being lifted awayfrom said device prior to its delivery, and means carried by the wheelsand acting to support the sheet on its under side after it has beenlifted clear from the edge-supporting device, substantially asdescribed.

47. In aprinting-machine, the combination with a printing-couple, ofmeans for supportin g and forwarding a sheet by its leading end after ithas been acted on by the couple, and means for supporting the oppositeedge of the sheet, said means consisting of a series ofremovably-mounted bars located beneath the path of travel of theforwarding means, substantially as described.

48. In a transfer printing-machine,a designcarrying member, a member towhich the design is transferred, an impression member, a travelingmechanism for supporting the sheet at its leading end, the path oftravel of said mechanism being over the design-carrying member, meansfor supporting said traveling mechanism, and means for supporting theopposite edge of the sheet,the traveling mechanism and theedge-supporting means being so mounted as to be swung away to giveaccess to the design-carrying member, substantially as described.

49. In a transfer printing-machine,the combination with adesign-carrying member, of a printing member, a rotary impressionmember, a pair of pivoted arms, guiding devices carried by the arms,aflexible carrier passing around the wheels, a gripper mechanism pivotedto the carrier and acting to support the sheet at its leading end,extensions on the arms, and means connected to the extensions forsupporting the opposite edge of the sheet, substantially as described.

50. In a printing-machine the combination with a printing-couple, of apair of arms, guiding devices supported in said arms, a travelingsheet-carrying mechanism moving around the guiding devices and operatingto hold a sheet by one end, means acting on the unprinted side of thesheet while it is held by the carrying mechanism to position it fordelivery, means for causing the carrying mechanism to release the sheet,and means intermittently moved into position to receive the sheetprinted side up after it is released, substantially as described.

51. In a printing-machine, the combination with a printing-couple, of apair of arms, guiding devices supported in the arms, a travelingsheet-carryin g mechanism moving around the guiding devices and actingto support a sheet at one end, means carried by the guiding devices forsupporting a sheet on its unprinted side, means for causing thesheet-carrying mechanism to release the sheet while it is resting uponthe supporting means, and means intermittently moved into position toreceive and guide the sheet after it slides from the supporting means,substantially as described.

52. In a printing-machine, the combination with a printing-couple, of apair of arms, guiding devices supported by the arms, a travelingsheet-carrying mechanism moving around the guiding devices and acting tosupport the sheet at one end, means acting on the unprinted side of thesheet while it is held by the carrying mechanism to position it fordelivery, means for causing the sheet-carrying mechanism to release thesheet, a receiving table, and means intermittently moved into positionto guide the sheet to the table, substantially as described.

53. In a printing-machine, the combination with a printing-couple, ofmeans for transferring the sheet from the printing to the deliverypoint, said means permitting the sheet to change its position so that itmay be delivered printed side up,means acting on the unprinted side ofthe sheet and brought into operation after the sheet changes itsposition and while it is held by the transferring means to position itfor delivery, means for causing the transferring means to release thesheet, and means intermittently thrown into position for guiding thesheet after it is released, substantially as described.

54. In a printing-machine, the combination with a printing-couple, of atraveling gripper mechanism acting to forward a sheet by its leading endand permitting the sheetto change its position so that it may bedelivered printed side up, means for causing the gripper mechanism torelease the sheet in order that it may be delivered, means acting on theunprinted side of the sheet and brought into operation prior to therelease of the sheet by the gripper mechanism for positioning the sheetfor delivery, and a receiving-table, substantially as described.

55. In a printing-machine, the combination with a printing-couple, of apair of arms, guiding devices supported in the arms, a gripper mechanismtraveling around the guiding devices and acting to support a sheet byits leading end, means acting on the unprinted side of the sheet toposition it for delivery, gripperreleasing devices, extensions on thearms, a rock-shaft mounted in theextensions, means for rocking theshaft, and guiding means mounted on the shaft and rocked into positionto receive the sheet as it is released, substantially as described.

56. In a printing-machine, the combination with a printing-couple havinga rotating impression member, of a shaft in which said member ismounted, a pair of sprocket-wheels mounted on said shaft, a second pairof sprocket-wheels, a pair of sprocket-chains passing around the pairsof wheels, a gripper mechanism carried by the chains, a gear adjustablyconnected to the rotating member, means for giving the rotating memberand gear a vertical adjustment, and gearing by which the gear isrotated, the adjustable connection between the gear and the rotatingmember permitting the member to be turned to bring its impressionsurface and gripper into proper position without disturbing the relationof the gearing, substantially as described.

57. In a printing machine, the combination with a rotatingprinting-couple, of means for stopping the rotation of thedesign-carrying member of the couple, gearing between thedesign-carrying member and the impression member, a traveling grippermechanism operated from the impression member and provided with aplurality of sets of grippers, a set of gripper-operating deviceslocatedat the sheet-taking point and operating to open the grippers to receivea sheet as the couple is stopped, and a second set of gripper-operatingdevices so located that they operate to release the sheet when thecouple is stopped, substantially as described.

58. In a printing-machine the combination with a printing-couple, of atraveling gripper m eehanism, means for adjusting one member of theprinting-couple toward and away from the other member to provide forprinting on material of varying thickness, means for adjusting the jawsof the gripper mechanism so as to vary the distance between them whenopen, and means for opening and closing the grippers, substantially asdescribed.

59. In a printing-machine, the combination with a printing-couple, of atraveling gripper mechanism including a pair of suitably-supported jaws,means for adjusting one member of the couple toward and awayfrom theother member to provide for printing on material of varying thickness,means for varying the relation of the gripperjaw supports, and means foropening and closing the grippers, substantially as described.

60. In aprinting-machine, the combination with a printing-couple, of atraveling gripper mechanism, means for adjusting one member of theprinting-couple toward and away from the other member to provide forprinting 011 material of varying thickness, means for adj usting thejaws of the gripper mechanism so as to Vary the distance between themwhen open, means for opening and closing the grippers, and a stop forlimiting the distance which a sheet of material can beinserted into thegrippers, substantially as described.

61. In a machine for printing on non-flexible material, the combinationwith a printingcouple and with means for forwarding and delivering asheet, of a receiving-table having a concave upper surface, the troughformed by said concave surface extending crosswise of the machine,substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand in the presence of twosubscribing witnesses.

THOMAS M. NORTH.

\Vitnesses:

WILFRID HECTOR, F. W. H. CRANE.

